Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Buick Rendezvous owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dash gauges, warning lights, & alarms, bells flash on & off and vehicle suddenly runs rough. Dash codes of all sorts blink on & off. New battery and new altenator installed, problem still exists. This happened first when driving on hiway. After vehicle pulled off road and engine turned off. The dash code then read battery issue. We tried to drive again but now vehicle operated roughly and there was no more daylight. We had vehicle towed 100 miles. Then paid for new battery problem did not change so we had a new altenator installed after having a diagnostic test advising the need for a new altenator. I am quite upset becaus ei feel that there is fraud on part of sears autorepair. Diagnostic said altenator was the problem. I paid over $450 for that service and another $150 for the battery.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. While driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle has not yet been diagnose. There were consequences but the contact was concerned for his safety. When the check engine warning light illuminated, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact also stated that the vehicle had been experiencing the failure for approximately every day for the past two weeks. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the nature of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not taken to not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Engine stops working with loss of all control, battery turns over but vehicle will not start. After approximately 1/2 hour engine starts. Drove to mechanic and no information availoable in computer. All data removed.. Problem repeated at 70,00 miles 90,000 miles and at 150,000 miles. No mechanic could find any pronlem. First occurred when parking after a 50 mile drive. Next appeared at a stop light. Last apperared while slowing down at an intersection. Took vehicle off the road after the last incident. Feared for my life.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. While driving approximately 35 MPH the contact began to smell a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that the coolant began to mix with the oil and destroyed the head gasket. The engine was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.
While driving at aprx 60 MPH the car just died stalled no power had to man handle car to a stop with out getting into an accident almost like driving a bait car the car just shut down this is not the first time had to get towed car still wont start put key in all bells and whistles light up and sounds then nothing as if alarm cut off .
I was driving my vehicle on the freeway going 70 miles per hour and all the sudden my vehicle had pretty much came to a complete stop and if I hadn't had my seatbelt on, I probably would have went through the windshield.
I purchased this car on June 23 and the next day it wouldn't start took it back to the dealership and they replaced the battery and the alternator said it was fixed but several hours later the car wouldnt start again took it back the next day and they said it was the air conditioner running while the car was off draining the battery so they took the fuse out and said they would fix it the next day but when I called to take my car to them I got no answer from them. Three days later the car overheated and I got it completely checked by a different mechanic to see why my car is running hot and he gave me a list of problems every head gasket is blown out and the motor is gone. …
I was driving the vehicle to an appointment and all of a sudden it thumbed when I moved from the light taking off not like it was shifting but as something was knocked in, then the lower light I turn on in the truck stopped working, the interior dash lights as well stopped on the 11 of March about 6 pm I was heading back in from out of town had to position my cell phone so I could see what speed I was going, the turning to the right knocks like something is about to fall off, and the to top it off the wiper from the back window leaks in the inside when I try to clean with fluid, the seat belt as well is not locking I and my on star it reads and talks as I tried to set up an account the system failed and my engine stalls as well the temperature gauge runs hot if I go in town and stop at the lights I checked the fluid and it is in their I called GM and they quote and quote say their was …
I brought a Buick rendevouz on July 17,2004. From the very first week I had it I told the dealer the gas gage doesnot work properly. They checked it over and still cannot find ahything wrong with it. And it still not working properply now but theat is not the biggest issu with this vehicle. The first incident 10.10.04. I was driving on the highway to work when the vehilce just stalls out. I didn't know what was going on. The car get rolling for a couple of sceonds and then I applied the brake put the car in park. A couple of seconds later I started the truck up and begin driving. I dropped the truck off to the dealer and told them what had occurred. They replaced a apart and sent me on my way. Since then the vidhilce hase stalled out over 10 times. And someday it stalls out twice a day. …
I have a 2004 Buick Rendezvous that I bought in 2004 with 9000 miles on it. At 32000 miles the check engine light came on and the dealer said the number three cylinder was misfiring. He reset the the cylinder and 10000 miles later it is doing it again. Also at 42000 I have had to replace both front and rear breaks along with the power steering pump and the master cylinder. I think these are excessive breakdowns for a vehicle this age and milage. So far repairs to the vehicle in the last month have exceeded $1000.00. Luckly I wasn't in and accident when the steering and breaks failed. There was no warnign chirp or dash indicator showing the steering and breaks were failing.
Engine complaints in other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Buick Rendezvous?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Buick Rendezvous, 16% of the model year's 200 complaints. The component named most often is engine (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Buick Rendezvous engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Buick Rendezvous engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles, and 52% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.